I would like to clear up some confusion about watering plants.
Frequency is the most misunderstood concept.
The “rules “ apply to all plant life be it seedlings, houseplants, garden vegetables, flowers, lawn, or cactus.
In your yard, in your house, on your patio, on a hill, in the water, no matter what the plants are, the concept is exactly the same.
Each and every plant needs to have ALL it roots watered WHEN it is watered.
While the amount of water a cactus plant will need compared to a tomato plant over its lifetime is entirely different, it still needs it’s root ball to be completely soaked WHEN it is watered.
It just needs to be watered less frequently.
Then you need to let it dry out.
There is a direct and unequivocal relationship between the roots and the top growth.
The roots come first, then the top.
You can (and sometimes should) cut back the top to allow the roots to produce a sturdier plant.
If the roots are not watered thoroughly each time time it is watered, parts of the root ball will dry up, causing the top growth to wither, struggle, and die.
Some want to water on a schedule. Please, NO. Every plant has a different requirement.
Many things influence how soon your plants dry out: the type of plant, medium they’re planted in, relative humidity…
If you are standing with a hose to water your garden, your plants are suffering.
Have you ever seen how water will run off dry sand instead of sink in?
You are not going to stand there long enough for it to sink in enough.
If there is to much water to fast, it will run off.
Set up a system where you can turn a switch and walk away.
Put it on a timer.
Mulch is your friend. Lots of mulch. It keeps weeds down and moisture in, also keeps the soil slightly moist so it will receive water.
Old leaves, grass clippings, sawdust, anything organic.
Again, each and every plant will do this on a different schedule
Overwatering will also cause the top growth to die back, as the roots will rot. Less roots, less top growth.
Some don’t want to get water all over. Get over it.
If you are going to water your plant properly, there will be water everywhere.
Think of a greenhouse, automatic waterers or hose, the floor is dirt and there is a lot of. Humidity
Use buckets for your houseplants, at least 2, one to soak them, one to drain them, if you have a lot of floor plants more buckets will shorten the chore.
Put a plant in a bucket, fill with warm water, let it sit for a bit, put it in a dry bucket with something in the bottom to keep the plant above any moisture that drains out, let it drain.
If you like this post, check out my youtube channel for more ideas.
Leave a Reply